NO FEAR FOR RHODE ISLAND ROGUES NEW HEAD COACH WHO HAS BIG SHOES TO FILL

Written By:   Mike Perry
              East Region Contributor

Last season Rhode Island Rogues head coach Damian Houlden won the Coach Of The Year award in the Metropolitan-North Conference. Now with Coach Houlden’s departure, new head coach Brandon Ianelli has some big shoes to fill. Most coaches in his position would feel nervous taking on such a challenge but if you ask Ianelli, any nerves he has about the season are trumped by excitement.

“I’ve been fortunate to learn from some of the best coaches in the region and the country. I’ve also been lucky enough to work with some of the best young talents in the youth soccer landscape. Because of my mentors and my experiences throughout my career, I feel ready to lead a team at this level.”

Brandon brings plenty of coaching experience to the table as he’s been a staff coach with the New England Revolution of the Major League Soccer (MLS) since 2016. During his time with the Revolution, Brandon has designed and coordinated training programs and worked under the Revolution’s MLS Academy coaches. On top of that, Brandon has scouted for the MLS Academy youth teams and coached at Academy partner Cranston League for Cranston’s Future LLC (CLCF), whom he has been involved with for over four years.

With Rhode Island already being a hotbed for soccer, Ianelli is ready to help grow the women’s side in the area.
 

“Through Rhode Island’s fantastic collegiate programs and local clubs, we are producing some great players and building a strong soccer community. I have the utmost respect for all of the coaches in the area putting in the effort to grow the game in our state. And now, I feel fortunate to be in a great position to help further the women’s side of the sport. Great things are coming in the Rhode Island soccer landscape.”

Coming from such a successful soccer background, Coach Ianelli hopes to bring some of that winning culture to Rhode Island Rogues. He’s taking it one game at a time, but his team is in his words “hungry to win every time they step on the field”.

“My expectation for the team is that everyone puts in their best effort each and every match to contribute toward winning. However, it is equally important to us that we strive to further establish our culture and community. If we can do that, success will follow”.